Forest Pack Community Book One

chapter 8

Joy looked at her, concerned. “Come here, my dear.” With that, she stood up, shut the door, and took Felicia’s hand and led her to the bed so they could sit comfortably to talk. “Felicia, you are not the reason bad things happen. Why would you think that?”

Felicia answered with teary eyes and said, “If I had not been the center of attention at the concert and asked for ice cream, they’d still be alive,, and Azella wouldn’t have left me either. Then, when we got here that first night, again I was in the spotlight, and all I got were looks of pity. Who wants anyone’s pity? Now I’m going to be in the spotlight again, and I’m going to get those same looks. What if I fall in the water putting my floating lights in? Everyone will laugh at me just like I get laughed at for my size. They’ll call me the drowned rat! Or worse, wolf-less drowned rat!” she exclaimed and broke into racking sobs.

Joy, whose heart was breaking for her, held her close and spoke. “Sweetheart. You couldn’t do anything about the crash. Your wolf didn’t leave you. She’s still inside, our wolves have a deeper connection to our parents and family. As well as our mates once we meet them. She did not abandon you and neither did your parents. They are with our goddess Seline. That first night we brought you all back home, no one was pitying you. They were sad, all of us were. They were especially sad for you. Being sad or feeling empathy that someone has lost someone close is different than being pitied. Pity is a surface emotion. Whereas empathy or sympathy is a much deeper emotion. That means they understand what you are going through. That they are sad too.” Felicia looked up and hiccupped tears still streaming down her face. Joy continued, “The looks you’ll get tonight will be looks of empathy and sympathy not pity. Everyone will be sad. You will tell because we will all howl in pain at the loss of fellow wolves. Maybe Azella will come back to howl along with us. As far as falling in how about I help? I’ll hold one light while you put one in, then I’ll hand you the other light, and you can put that one in?”

Felicia thought about this for a minute then responded, “Ok Aunt Joy. I like that idea. Is there anything we can try to bring my wolf forward. We haven’t tried anything yet and you said we would. I want to howl too.”

Joy’s wolf came forward. “Hello Felicia, I’m Joy’s wolf Aliza, I can sense your wolf, and she is hurting, just like you are. Let me help you.”

Felicia looked at her aunt, wide-eyed, and just said, “Ok.”

Aliza continued, “Ok, close your eyes and hold our hands. Don’t worry, Joy is still here. I’m going to use some of my power to help you. Now call by name in your mind. Take a deep breath, then call her.”

Felicia held hands with Joy and Aliza, took a deep breath, and slowly let it out, calming her heart and mind. She then went in the darkness of her mind and called, “Azella, are you there? I know you’re hurting. But so am I. We can get through this together. Tonight, there will be a chance to howl and say goodbye. I’m told that they are with the goddess. They are safe, and so are we. We are home, Azella. We live with Aunt Joy and her wolf Aliza, Uncle Mick and his wolf. There’s also Alpha Ben and Luna Lissa,” Felicia waited quietly to see if Azella would come back. “Remember what you told me during the crash? Well, it’s true. So, I’m going to tell you something. You will be ok. I promise. Together we are stronger, and I need you, Azella…”

After waiting an eternity, Felicia finally heard a voice: “I miss them, Felicia.” Which is all she heard.

“I miss them too. But we have people here who love us and will take care of us. They will help us learn what we need to know. How to be better. Who knows what we can achieve together. Please be with me today…”

“Felicia, I am here. I am sorry I left. I was just hurting,” informed Azella.

Felicia opened her eyes and looked at Aliza and Joy. With happiness shining in her eyes, she exclaimed,: “She’s back!”

Aliza smiled and said, “I’m glad I could help. I knew she wasn’t gone, as I could faintly sense her. I helped, so that she knew there was family here. That it was ok.”

Felicia smiled and said, “I told her the same thing. As those were the words she used on me just before the darkness came. She said you will be ok and then we were both gone.”

Joy came forward and said, “Oh, honey.” And hugged her. After a moment, she asked. “Are you ready to get dressed? I can help if you want or just stay for company. If you have questions, I can try to answer those.”

“You can stay and help me if needed, and company would be nice.” Felicia smiled. “I do have a question, though. When do I do my first shift? How do I find my mate?”

Joy chuckled and said, “You are not even 8 years old. You have time, my love.”

I am almost eight! My birthday is…wait,, what month is this?”

“June 20th, dear.” Joy smiled.

“My birthday is in twelve days!” Felicia announced.

“Oh my, we will have to plan a fun day. What do you think?”

“Can I help?”

“Of course. Now, what do you plan on wearing?”

Felicia looked through her clothes, trying to decide. What about red? My parents always liked red; I know I have this pretty red lace dress. My black one got ruined. In the crash.”

Joy’s heart broke just a little. “Well, we’ll find you a little black dress because every girl should have one. It’s a staple in any wardrobe. Something more fitting your age.”

Felicia just grinned. Joy thought to herself that either Felicia was hiding it well or the stability was helping her heal faster. She’d have to get Mick’s thoughts on it and see if he saw the same thing. After a few minutes, she was dressed and sitting at her vanity, staring. Joy asked, “Would you like me to help you with your hair?”

“Yes, please,” Felicia answered. Joy smiled and got to work. When she was done, the two of them walked out hand in hand. When Mick saw them, he exclaimed, “There are my beautiful girls! The most beautiful girls in all the pack!” he gushed.

Joy said embarrassingly, “Oh, stop.” Felicia just blushed. Mick just grinned. In a mind link, Joy told Mick about what happened in the bedroom. Mick’s reaction was, ‘Really, that’s great. Thank you, Aliza, for your help.’ The three of them continued down the stairs. They met Ben and Lissa downstairs waiting to travel down the path of lights. In their pack, they didn’t stand around a grave, even though they buried them. The floating lights went off into the lake. Some packs did flower petals. But Forest Pack does lights on green-decorated wreaths. They lit them so that their loved ones could see their tribute from the Moon Goddess’s Garden.